Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve begun a series here at my website that focuses on different hymns and worship songs, coupled with relevant scriptures, notes and prayers.
Tonight, having just returned home from Worship Team practice, I am compelled to write about a new-ish (to me) song written by Ben Shive, David Zimmer, Nathan Stiff of Sovereign Grace Music, titled You Have the Words of Life.
The song’s overarching message is focused on the truth of God’s words. Through His words – through the truth we find in scripture – we find hope as we navigate this weary world.
Words are important to me – I’ll read nearly anything I can get my hands on, and always have – from reading every single word on the back of cereal boxes when I was young, to consistently winning the library summer reading programs awards for most books read, I love to read. Always have.
When I became a Christ-follower, reading books by trustworthy, theologically sound authors was a critical component of helping to overcome my deeply rooted cyncism and unbelief. I can definitely echo my favorite author, C.S. Lewis, when he wrote this in Surprised by Joy, “All the books were beginning to turn against me.” God brought authors like C.S. Lewis, John Stott, Timothy Keller, John Piper, Dallas Willard, Philip Yancey and so many more into my world. These authors challenged my thinking, slowly eroding my arguments against God.
But here’s the kicker – those authors and the words they wrote drove me to interact with scripture in ways that completely wrecked me, in a good way. They pointed me to Christ. The Bible was no longer a dusty old relic – something I diligently carried to church as a little girl so that I could mark “Brought my Bible” off on our offering envelopes. No, the Bible slowly became far more than a big book on the shelf – I slowly realized that scripture is the benchmark of truth I had longed for all of my life – did I like everything it had to say? Not by a long shot; I am a rebel at heart, after all. But the words of the Psalmists, and the story of Job, and the way God interacted with the Samaritan woman – all this and more led to a hope that slowly seeped into my heart of stone as I studied the Bible, and by God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness, he used his words as a catalyst for my repentence, and He turned my heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
God could have chosen another avenue – another medium – than the words of scripture to carry the hope of salvation through all time. But he didn’t – and I am so glad. He gave us the gift of his holy words as a revelation of who he is, and who we are – and that truth shows us that we are desperately in need of a Savior.
John 6:68 has been an important verse to me, for several years now. I came upon it during a time in my life when I was beginning to realize that truly I had no where else to go but to God. All of my efforts, all of my doing, all of my striving and independence and stubborness and cynicism was beginning to fall away under the light of the Gospel. When I read this passage in John chapter six, I tend to imagine Peter saying the words a bit exasperated – probably because when I truly read them for the first time, I found myself praying them to God in a very exasperated state of mind – because there was no where else for me to turn.
To set the scene, Jesus has just fed five thousand people – followed by walking on water. He then was followed by a bunch of people in boats who wanted more…what? Miracles? Teaching? I’m not really sure. Regardless – they were seeking Jesus, and when they found him, He spoke to them words of truth – the gospel – He is the bread of life. But his followers grumbled – they found the teachings to be difficult. Not what they wanted to hear. That’s where we pick up the story and the interaction with Simon Peter:
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.
And so, like Peter – I pray:
Where else are we going to go God? Where else?? You have the words of eternal life. You are the Holy One of God. You are my only hope.
All my strivings, all my doubts, my unbelief, my questions to which there are no easy answers, the grief and sorrows and joys of this world – the vanity of trying to navigate this world without God as my Father – I can’t do it. I can’t. And neither can you.
Where else can we go – except to the feet of Jesus.
The song “Your Words are Wonderful” has roots Psalm 119 – a beautifully rich Psalm that speaks about God’s word and his promises – it is definitely worth time reading..pondering…praying through.
But the song also grabs hold of Simon Peter’s words in John 6:68 – Where else shall we go? As the song progresses, we sing that line several times – Where else shall we go? You have the words of life!! And as we enter the bridge of the song, we plaintively cry out to Him with words and voices and souls that swell – Give us ears to hear God – Give us eyes to see, and the ability to read your word, to see what you are doing around us and in our lives – help us to see how much this world is in need of your saving grace – help us in our doubt! Help us in our unbelief!
Make your Glory known, God. Make your Glory known.
Amen and amen.
Your Words are Wonderful
Your words are wonderful, unfolding like the dawn
A wellspring and the rock we rest upon
We trust Your promises that keep our hope alive
They steady us throughout life’s weary climb
Where else can we go? Where else can we go?
You have the words of life, the words of life
Come write Your holy truth upon our longing hearts
And strengthen us to shine against the dark
Lord, guard us from the lies the enemy will speak
No guilt remains for those You have redeemed
Where else can we go? Where else can we go?
You have the words of life, the words of life
Make Your glory known, make Your glory known
Through all Your words of life, Your words of life
Give us ears to hear and eyes to see
Help us in our doubt and unbelief
Give us ears to hear and eyes to see
Help us in our doubt and unbelief
Give us ears to hear and eyes to see
Help us in our doubt and unbelief
